cannot get Cheato to grow

[msu344]

Looking for some tips or suggestions, i have a 75 G tank and i have a 10 gallon refugium that i set up using a plastic tub. I have a small pump that pumps water from the display tank and a drain drilled into the wall of the tub that drains the water into a sump. The outlet for the pump is low and under water, the drain for the refugium is high, therefore fresh water enters low and drains high. I have a 5lb piece of live rock in the center, and 6" of kent refugium substrate. I place 2 softball size of cheato in the refugium about 3 moths ago. The tub is lit by 2 25 watt wal mart brand "lights of america" 6500 K PC bulbs.

My nitrates in my display tank stay at about 3 to 5, never have i seen them above 10. However, i cannot get the cheato to grow at all. Now, it deosn't die though either! it has been in the same spot in the fuge since day 1, and has not gotton any bigger, nor has there been any die off or any bleaching.

Can someone out there give me some tips?? I started suplimenting Iron (kent brand) about a month ago, and still nothing. I get the typical algae growth in my display tank, but nothing serious, just an occasional wipe of the glass with the magnet, no Cyano, and never any algae on the live rock i have. I have a meager algae attack pack in the display, maybe 15 snails, and about 7 or 8 blue legged hermits.

any help is greatley appreciated!

MSU344

 

[graveyardworm]

I would consider yourself lucky. Little or no nuisance algae is a good thing, and probably is indicating low phosphates which may also be why your cheato isnt growing fast. 3-5 ppm nitrates is pretty good and nothing to sweat over. It sounds as though your nutrient input and export is pretty well balanced at the moment.